THE five trading sessions spanning Oct 27 to Nov 2 saw the Straits Times Index (STI) gain 0.7 per cent. The STI reached a high of 3,395.76 on Nov 1, a 29-month high which dates back to May 29, 2015. This has brought the STI's dividend-inclusive return for 2017 (through to Nov 2) to 20.9 per cent, compared to an average 17.1 per cent return for the benchmarks of Japan, Hong Kong and Australia.

Over those five sessions, 51 SGX primary-listed stocks lodged 105 changes in director interests and/or substantial shareholders. There were seven company director acquisitions and one disposal filed, with the ratio of disposals to acquisitions filed for substantial shareholders of companies, at almost 4 to 1.

There were three stocks that conducted share buybacks over the five sessions with a total consideration of S$7.2 million, up significantly from the preceding five sessions.